I am known for being a caretaker and like any true Cuban who was taught well by her grandfather, I show my love by feeding people! Upon preparing for my beautiful cousin, Kristy’s bachelorette weekend, I decided to venture into my second home, the kitchen, to prepare some yummy-carb-filled appetizers. You see, I knew there would be plenty of Pink Champagne to go around and we classy ladies need to handle it with grace.

And so…The Bachelorette Weekend Tuna Pasta Salad was born:

12 oz Bowtie Pasta-My favorite-Ronzoni

10-15 oz (2-3 packs) of Albacore Tuna Packs- Bumblebee Tuna packs were buy one get one free the other day…needless to say, I totally stocked up!  (Canned tuna alters the taste because it can give it a metallic taste)

8 oz Cream Cheese

1-2 Red or Sweet Apples (to taste…so the sweet-hearts go crazy )

1/2-1 small minced red onion

1-3 Hard boiled eggs- Again, preference people!

Ground Mustard to taste (has a sharp, yet smooth taste…some say it works like pepper, I think it works like magic fairy dust) *My secret ingredient for all that is good in life!

Salt & Pepper to taste

…and if you want to get crrrazy- Replace salt with Jane’s Krazy Mixed-Up Salt © …Amazing ingredient and adds a kick with the flavorful parsley and added goodies. ***HIGHLY RECCOMEND***

Essentially, this is it…Again, the disclaimer with my recipes include I make stuff up as I go. Cooking feeds my heart and soul, so as the heart guides, I pour. HaHa! but….TASTE AS YOU GO.

Easy steps:

Soften the cream cheese-if worse comes to worse- stick in the microwave with a moist paper towel and nook it- HOWEVER, there is nothing like freshly softened cream cheese to do the trick!

Boil Pasta- Tip: I always add some salt and EVOO (Thanks Mrs. Rachel Ray ) as I boil- Makes all the difference.

Boil until tender and soft, I am not an al dente type of girl, but again, to each their own.

**While boiling pasta- mince the red onion- I use the Vidalia Chop Wizard © (Kudos to Sue for introducing this piece of Heaven to my life) and apples. Apples may be slightly bigger than the onions. From experience, mince onions as small as you can and apples about a pinky nail size .

Combine tuna,  Mixed Up Salt, ground pepper, and ground mustard.

Cut eggs in small squares with yolk, adds color.

Once Pasta is drained and while still warm mix in cream cheese.

Mix well; it will be difficult…but patience pays- 5 minutes until passing zone!

Add Tuna with seasonings

Add eggs, apples, and onions mix well.

……….and Voilà- your own Bachelorette Weekend Tuna Pasta Salad is ready!

Recommended as always to drink while sipping some yummy Brut Pink Champagne…Can be eaten solo, with girlfriends, boyfriends, family, etc.

Blissfully Enjoy,

Nicki G.